Skirt-elevator



(No Model.)

Ji. MALLETT. SKIRT LBVATOR.

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To aZZ witam, it may concern:

UNITED STATES PATENT 'GFFIGE.

JOHN MALETT, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

SKI RT-ELEVATO R.

PECIFICATION forming part of Letters'Patent No. 536,576, dated March 26, 1895.

Appntanon filea Augusfzallset. seria No; 521,116. (No model.) i

Be it known that I, JOHN MALLETT, a citizen of the UnitedV States, residng in the city of Oakland, county of Alameda, and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elastic Shirt-Elevators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exaot description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in skirt elevators of that class in which'external Operating cords 'in conjunction with detachable connections with the inner lining of the skirt, are employed to elevate the latter from its normal position.

My invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts Figure 1 is a front elevation of my improved elevator in its normal position detached from the skirt. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the invention, showing the form assumed by the pad or web as tension is exerted on the operating cord. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section of the pad or web through the line w Fig. '1, and Fig. 4 is a' transverse section through the line 'y y, Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the pulleys and bearings thereof. o i

I will now explain in detail the construction and operation of my invention, reference being had to the above figures.

The main body or pad A of my improved elastic skirt elevator is formed as shown in Fig. 1, viz., gracefully rounded at its lower extremity and contracted in width toward its upper portion from which extend opposite members B, O, composing a suitable waistband or belt, which I will designate by the letter D, the free extremities being secured together by means of the adjustable buckle E. Radiating outward from and secured to the lower ourved extremity of the pad A are the supporting strips F, F', F, bearing at their lower free ends the clasps G. Near the upper contracted extremity of the pad A are situated the guide pulleys H and I, the axis of revolution of the former being at right angles to the surface of the pad A,

said bolt is provided with screw threads. J 2 i is a disk, having a projecting flange J'f on one sidethereof, for the purpose of guiding the cord. This disk is placed between the pulley and pad. The projecting end of the bolt J, is screw-threaded as at J3, and' a fiat nut J4 is designed to be placed thereon, and bind the parts of the pad. The pulley I is mounted on a short shaft at right angles to the axis of the pulley H. Said shaft has a fiat head I' at one end and is screw-threaded at its reduced end, said threads engaging the female threads 12, in the head 13 of the post 14. A flange 15 is formed between the head of the post 'and the threaded portion 16, the same bearing against the face of the pad. A nut K2 is designed to engage the threads 16, and thus secure the partstogether. PassingoverthesepulleysH, I in the manner shown in Fig. l is the sinew or gut cord (L) one extremity of which is se- `cnred to a metal projection on burr (M) near the lower edge of the pad (A), while its other extremity bears an ornamental tassel (N). The burr (M) is secured to the pad in a manner similar to that employed in securing the pulleys (H, I), its object being to make a neat connection between the cord and pad, and by a countersunk perforation (O) to hide the knot` in the extremity of the cord.

I will now explain the manner of positioning andl the function of each individual part of my invention in the operation of elevating and subsequent readjusting of the skirt.

The pad (A) is suspended directly over the -posterior of the person by the belt (D), which passes about the waist directly beneath the waistband of the skirt', the free extremity of the cord (L) being carried to the right around the waist and through an aperture ``in the 'front of the dress, where the tassel (N) is suspended. The clasps (G) are then connected to short tabs sewed one to each side of the inner lining of the skirt, and one to the center of the back midway between the two former. A,

When for any reason it is desired to elevate the skirt from the ground, the tassel (N) is grasped and drawn forward, when thegpad (A) is curved upward carryin'g Vwith it the skirt, the folds of which are prevented from oreasing but caused to assume a graceful appearance, resembling an ordinary bustle. On the other hand as it is desired to lower or readj ust the shirt into its former position, the tassel is released and the elasticity of the pad causes it to immediately assume its former normal position, which operation also foroes i i invention, a-consequent and by no means 1nthe skirt downward into a like position.

From the foregoing description of the operation of my invention, it is manifest that its degree of efficiency depends on the power of the pad to return to its normal position, and to accomplish this object I have constructed a pad of a composition of materials that I have found by experiments give the best results, the details of construction of which I will now explain.

The first step in the manufacture of this elastic fiexible pad (A) is to form a sheet of tailoris canvas (a) similar to the contour of On this eanvas (a) is z glued aseries of ad joining transverse parallel strips of card board (b) reaching to the coni the complete pad (A).

tracted portion of the pad (A), the remaining length of the pad being filled up to a level with layers of tailofs canvas (o). Stretched and glued over these strips of card-board (b) and extending from about the center o f the pad to the upper edge thereof is alongitudinal strip of thin rubber (cl) which is covered by a second strip of heavier rubber (e) overlapping its lower edge and glued to the card board (b). Then over this is stretched and glued a longer strip of rubber webbing (f), When the whole outer surface of the pad is covered With a Sheet (g) of the same material. To give a neat appearance to the reverse surface of the tailoris canvas (a) I cover and securely fasten thereto by elastic braid (h) a sheet of plush (i) from which project the pulleys (l-I, I) in the manner described above.

The object of assembling the pulleys as shown and described is readily seen from Fig. 2, the pulley (I) direeting the cord (L) into the plane of the pulley (H), thereby preventing any unnecessary friction or rubbing and consequent dest'rnction of the cord.

Byflthe employment of the improved construction and assemblage of parts herein shown and described the gravity of the skirt is of minor concern in its successful readj ustment; the elastic flexible pad accomplishing the immediate and desired readjustment independent of the weight of the garment. Besides this forcibly readjusting quality of the significant advantage lies in a graceful folding appearance given the skirt in the operation of elevating it.

I am perfectly aware that various changes in the relative position, size, and proportion of parts of the component parts of my invention as herein shown can be made in adapting the elevator to confornl with various sizes of individuals and changes in styles of garments, without departing from the spirit or sacrifioing the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

I'Iaviug thus fully described my invention, what 1 claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a device of theclass d-escribed the combination of a fiexible elastic pad with a cord secured to one extremity thereof and passing through suitable guides at the other, said pad being adapted to coil when teusion is exerted on said cord and immediately assume its former position when released substantially as set forth. I

2. In a device of the class described the combination of a flexible elastic pad with a cord secured to one extremity thereof and guided in pulleys at the other, the axes of revolution of said pulleys being at right angles to each other substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

1 JOHN MALLETT.

Witnesses:

O. M. SNow, W. G. PALMANTEER. 

